Karen Rehearsal Dinner Speech
Good evening everyone and welcome. My name is Karen Blatt Branagan and I'm the mother of the groom. I'd like to thank all of you so very much for making the trip up here to Lincoln to help Sean and Jackie celebrate their marriage. First, before I forget, I want to thank a few people specifically. Kate Hughes, mother of the bride, who has been working tirelessly and creatively for many months to put together what will be a memorable wedding tomorrow at Loon Mountain. And my sister Pam, who's been flying back and forth from the Netherlands to help me put together Jackie's bridal shower, our dinner tonight and the Welcome Gathering to follow at Seven Birches Winery and Cidery right here at RiverWalk Resort. Without my sister's classy sense of fashion and knowledge of events, I'd be standing up here in jeans and a teeshirt, holding a glass of water wondering where everyone was. And quick reminder, following our dinner the other wedding guests will be joining us at Seven Birches right here at the RiverWalk, just down the hall, past the Reception area. It should be a fun time.
I'm speaking tonight on behalf of myself and my late husband Donald, Sean's beloved Dad. As Sean's Auntie Dianne always says, for Don, the sun rises and sets over that boy. He would be, as am I, absolutely thrilled to play a role in the union of Sean and Jackie. It may sound trite but we are not losing a son, we are gaining a daughter as Jackie officially becomes part of the Blatt/Branagan clan. And similarly, Sean officially joins the Hughes family. Jackie is the daughter I was never blessed to have biologically, but now I/we have a son and a daughter which is priceless.
A little over 28 years ago, when they placed Baby Sean in our arms, we were overwhelmed with love, gratitude and wonder at this tiny new being who instantly became the central focus of our family. And now years later we are filled with joy as he marries the young woman he has chosen above all others as his life partner and as they embark on their own unique journey.
I'd like to share a couple of quick vignettes with you that provide some insight. 15 years ago when brother Bill married Rob, there was an impromptu pre-wedding party in their suite. Sean preferred to hang back in our room. Partway through I went down to check on him and here's what I saw. The thing I thought was a stationary desk had morphed, through Sean's visual magic, into a moving table that had swung across his bed. He looked up with his mouth full and said "Mom, did you know that you can just pick up the phone and they bring you food? Also, there's a mistake on the menu. It says ‘assorted muffins' but you only get one. That's just wrong." Once I got over the shock of the room service bill to come, I realized that this moment showcased many sides of Sean as a person. He wasn't afraid to amuse himself in a strange place. He can glance at almost anything and virtually instantly know how it works (and if necessary, fix it). He's smart, curious, resourceful, and likes things to be done the right way. I know he'll be a good, kind, loving and thoughtful husband to Jackie and will do whatever is necessary to provide them a good and interesting life. And there will be no shortage of gadgets involved, something his Grandpa Bill Blatt would have very much appreciated.
Second and last vignette, Sean and Jackie met online gaming, an avid interest they share. Not too long thereafter, he told me he had a girlfriend. Like many of my generation, I didn't quite understand how you could have a girlfriend online, but that's how many kids do these days. One summer day, he told me he was driving down to Virginia to meet Jackie IRL, in real life and they became a couple in a more traditional way. A couple of years later, Jackie moved up to Mass. to live with Sean. I immediately noticed a difference in Sean. The young person who had lived in our house in Newton with stuff flung all over his rooms, had become neat and squared away and made time for "chores" on one of his days off. I attribute this 100% to Jackie's influence. I think they enjoyed and still enjoy buying and building things to keep their home in good order so they can better relax and truly enjoy it
And then came a real high point when Jackie, who loves animals, brought their beagle Molly into their lives, making a long-awaited dream come true for Sean. So now they are a loving family of three and their sweetness and joy together makes me happy too. And I know that Don is smiling upon them as well. Isn't that part of marriage, when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts?
So let's all raise our glasses and toast Sean and Jackie and wish them a long life together of love, happiness, joy and discovery.
To Sean and Jackie!